New results, looks like it's going in the right direction?

Hi 

I just wanted to add I am on a beta blocker and its never had any effect on my levels.  I need to take it cause I have supraventricular tachycardia (SVT, occasional rapid heart rate).  

Always worth checking though.  

Lolabean :)  

It’s possible that it will have no effect whatsoever, but it’s probably a good idea just to ask the question. In my medication leaflet it does list Propranolol specifically as being one in which it will have an interaction. The good thing about Propranolol is that it is a very short acting drug that doesn’t stay in the system too long (my other half is a scientist in this field with the NHS and I’ve had this discussion a few times as I wanted to continue taking it, Propranolol is a fantastic drug and very effective at what it does!). 

I don’t mean to scaremonger or anything at all, even if there is an interaction it won’t be a major issue, just could potentially be causing the levels to be a bit off with testing so I thought it worth raising the question when you’re next in for a chat with the consultant, just especially as your levels are not quite settled yet.  

I’m in this position too at the moment, only two years on after treatment in my case. It really does suck!

all the best

Ali

Hi Everyone

I’ve had a read through all the posts on the thread and I’ve done some searching of our medical databases. The only thing I’ve found is a possible minor interaction, that may reduce the effectiveness of the propranolol.

However, I am not a pharmacist, and pharmacokinetics (what the body does to a drug) and pharmacodynamics (what a drug does to the body) are not my area of expertise. Nor will I even try to explain the difference.

I have asked one of our information specialist to have another search for me, and if he comes up with anything I will post it next week.

Geri

Thyroid Cancer Nurse

Hi Everyone

Our information guru has also done some searching and this is his reply;

Hi Geri.  I have now checked the major and most reputable sources of drug-drug interactions, i.e. BNF, Stockley’s and Micromedex, and none of these sources list the concurrent use of Propranolol and Levothyroxine as having any potential adverse interactions.

I’m wondering if people have been reading about beta blockers being used as a treatment for thyrotoxicosis, and have made an understandable jump to a wrong conclusion? Beta blockers when used to treat the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis do not change thyroid function tests.

I have tried to link the page from NICE with the information but the link isn’t working. If you follow this link, https://cks.nice.org.uk/hyperthyroidism , then click on scenario management. 9 lines down on this page you will see Beta-blockers highlighted in blue. Click on this link and it gives you the information on Beta-blockers

Geri

Thyroid Cancer Nurse

Thanks Geri. I had a similar response from my endo' in the meantime.... Sorry to waste your time!

Hi Guy

Learning something new about thyroid cancer is never a  waste of time. Similar questions do come up frequently, and I normally have many of the answers. So if I don't have the answer I'm always happy to go searching. At least we'll know for next time.

Geri 

What fun the single life is. Crap cooking. Tidy kitchen though. 

250mg/day thyroxine is hard. Constant buzzing in my ears (like a motor humming). So 40mg beta blocker, but is there something else I should be taking to counteract the day to day feeling of drinking a dozen coffees?

Hi Guy

I'm sure your cooking's not THAT bad.

Do you have your latest blood test results? 250 mcg really is a massive dose and I'm not surprised it's putting strain on your heart and needing a beta blocker. 

I also struggle to keep my FT4 down but at nearly 8 years post diagnosis, my team are letting me relax the suppression and I'm running at TSH 0.7 and FT4 25.3 but just reducing the dose a smidge to see if we can get that FT4 down again. This is on 114 mcg per day - going down to 110 from last week. I know you're a big lad but I'm no dainty little flower and 250 mcg a day would probably make me explode.

Have you had all your assorted drugs checked for any interactions? I can't help thinking that something must be stopping it working in an optimum way.

No - it is. Boys in the 1980's didnt get taught cooking and my now ex wife was a very good cook - Im great at chopping stuff and tidying away....

Im 100 - 105kg, 5'11

I went to the doctor the other day, to check interactions, and his reaction was to ask the computer  - FFS I can do that. He basically re-added all my drugs back on, and relied on the system to check fro him. I couldnt really get it into him that his was more complex than that. For example I have found out that multivitamins contain (some do) thyroid! 

I have no idea on my FT4 level. Last bloods were for calcium etc. Ill ask when I call in later with my joyous 24Hr urine calcium bottle (zero PTH too)

up to 6 calcichew

1x 300mg ranitedene (hiatus hernia)

1.5mg alphacalcidol

250mg levothyroxine

2 x pregabalin 75mg (for neck pain)

2 x 40mg propranalol (to slow heart)

2 x buscopan (checked with GP)

1 x 5HTTP (mood)

1 x Vit B12 (muscles)

1 x 350mg Magnesium (muscles - possibly over?)

1 x multivitamin

Hey Guy,

Could you also please share your routine for taking them, as well as what and when food and drink happens?

Also, I have a baking thread over in the chat forum. Feel free to pop in and ask for cooking tips or recipes if you like.

Ta.

Lass

Xx